Selskabet for Oslo Byes Vel
Encyclopedia
Selskabet for Oslo Byes Vel (Society for the Welfare of Oslo), often known as Oslo Byes Vel, is a non-profit heritage association for the benefit of Oslo
, Norway's capital city. It was established in 1811 by Niels Wulfsberg.
In 1819, Oslo's first public park was opened through the initiative of Christiania Byes Vel. In the following years, Christiania Byes Vel aimed at increasing the water quality in Christiania, as well as creating green avenues along the city's approach roads. Poet Henrik Wergeland
joined the association in 1838, which started printing his enlightenment letter For Arbeidsklassen ("For the Working Class").
In 1842, the association started handing out a medal to citizens who had served the city in a special manner. However, in 1867, it reduced the number of medals given, since there were reportedly too many given. The association celebrated its centennial anniversary in 1911, and had in the meantime changed its name to "Kristiania Byes Vel".
In 1915, Kristiania Byes Vel started publishing the periodical St. Hallvard
. The editors were at the time Edvard Bull
and Anton Wilhelm Brøgger. The publication of St. Hallvard was ceased for a short period of time in 1923. One year later, the city changed name from Kristiania to Oslo. In 1927, architect Harald Aars
urged architect and antiquarian Arno Berg to head Oslo Byes Vel, where he stayed for the latter part of his life. He also wrote around 450 articles and book reviews for St. Hallvard, even after his retirement.
Oslo Byes Vel celebrated its 150-years anniversary in 1961, and donated the sculpture Dynamikk by Arnold Haukeland to the city. In 1982, the association was awarded the Oslo City art award for its contributions to architecture in the city. The third edition of Oslo byleksikon
("Oslo City Encyclopedia") was published in 1987 in cooperation between Oslo Byes Vel and Kunnskapsforlaget
.
In 1989, Oslo Byes Vel handed out the honorary award "Bypatrioten" for the first time, to major Rolf Stranger
. The following year, the association launched its blue plaque programme for protected buildings. In 2001, a guide to the 250 plaques was published by the association. In 2010, Astrid Nøklebye Heiberg
was appointed chair of Oslo Byes Vel, the first woman ever to head the association. The association celebrated its bicentennial anniversary in 2011.
and are open on weekdays. , Astrid Nøklebye Heiberg is the chairman of the association, whilst Ida Fossum Tønnessen is deputy chair. The association publishes the periodical St. Hallvard four times a year.
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway's capital city. It was established in 1811 by Niels Wulfsberg.
History
Niels Wulfsberg founded the association on 29 May 1811. It was at the time named "Selskabet for Christiania Byes Vel", and was organised in seven commissions. Its first aim was the establishment of a university in Christiania (now Oslo). The university was established on 2 September the same year under the title Det Kongelige Frederiks Universitet. Christiania Byes Vel also published a periodical, Den Norske Borgerven ("The Norwegian Citizen's Friend") in seven issues.In 1819, Oslo's first public park was opened through the initiative of Christiania Byes Vel. In the following years, Christiania Byes Vel aimed at increasing the water quality in Christiania, as well as creating green avenues along the city's approach roads. Poet Henrik Wergeland
Henrik Wergeland
Henrik Arnold Thaulow Wergeland was a Norwegian writer, most celebrated for his poetry but also a prolific playwright, polemicist, historian, and linguist...
joined the association in 1838, which started printing his enlightenment letter For Arbeidsklassen ("For the Working Class").
In 1842, the association started handing out a medal to citizens who had served the city in a special manner. However, in 1867, it reduced the number of medals given, since there were reportedly too many given. The association celebrated its centennial anniversary in 1911, and had in the meantime changed its name to "Kristiania Byes Vel".
In 1915, Kristiania Byes Vel started publishing the periodical St. Hallvard
St. Hallvard (periodical)
St. Hallvard is a quarterly Norwegian language periodical issued by Selskabet for Oslo Byes Vel. It was established in 1915, with Edvard Bull and Anton Wilhelm Brøgger as editor in chiefs. The current editor is Jan Sigurd Østberg. The name is derived from the saint Hallvard Vebjørnsson....
. The editors were at the time Edvard Bull
Edvard Bull, Sr.
Edvard Bull was a Norwegian historian and politician for the Labour Party. He took the doctorate in 1912 and became a professor at the University of Kristiania in 1917, and is known for writings on a broad range of subjects. In addition to his academic work, he is known for his work on Norsk...
and Anton Wilhelm Brøgger. The publication of St. Hallvard was ceased for a short period of time in 1923. One year later, the city changed name from Kristiania to Oslo. In 1927, architect Harald Aars
Harald Aars
Harald Aars was a Norwegian architect.-Personal life:He was born in Christiania as a son of educator Jacob Jonathan Aars and his wife Anna Ernesta Birch-Reichenwald . He was the brother of academic Kristian Aars, a grandson of Christian Birch-Reichenwald and a great-grandson of Peter Motzfeldt...
urged architect and antiquarian Arno Berg to head Oslo Byes Vel, where he stayed for the latter part of his life. He also wrote around 450 articles and book reviews for St. Hallvard, even after his retirement.
Oslo Byes Vel celebrated its 150-years anniversary in 1961, and donated the sculpture Dynamikk by Arnold Haukeland to the city. In 1982, the association was awarded the Oslo City art award for its contributions to architecture in the city. The third edition of Oslo byleksikon
Oslo byleksikon
Oslo byleksikon is an encyclopaedia on Oslo, Norway's capital city. It has been published in five editions since 1938. The third, fourth and the fifth editions were published in cooperation between the heritage association Selskabet for Oslo Byes Vel and the publishing house Kunnskapsforlaget...
("Oslo City Encyclopedia") was published in 1987 in cooperation between Oslo Byes Vel and Kunnskapsforlaget
Kunnskapsforlaget
Kunnskapsforlaget is a Norwegian publishing company based in Oslo that concentrates on encyclopedias, encyclopedic books, textbooks, and dictonaries. The company, created in 1975, is owned by Gyldendal Norsk Forlag and Aschehoug ....
.
In 1989, Oslo Byes Vel handed out the honorary award "Bypatrioten" for the first time, to major Rolf Stranger
Rolf Stranger
Rolf Stranger was a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party and Mayor of Oslo.Rolf Stranger was born in Kristiania. He attended St. Hans Haugen school and University of Oslo. In 1914 he joined the family business Hanssen & Bergh A / S, where he was manager from 1917 to 1953...
. The following year, the association launched its blue plaque programme for protected buildings. In 2001, a guide to the 250 plaques was published by the association. In 2010, Astrid Nøklebye Heiberg
Astrid Nøklebye Heiberg
Astrid Nøklebye Heiberg is a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party, and a professor of medicine. She was the state secretary to the Minister of Social Affairs 1981-1985, and Minister of Administration and Consumer Affairs in 1986.Heiberg was vice-chairwoman of the Conservative Party from...
was appointed chair of Oslo Byes Vel, the first woman ever to head the association. The association celebrated its bicentennial anniversary in 2011.
Association
The headquarters of Selskabet for Oslo Byes Vel are located at Grev Wedels plass in the Oslo city centreSentrum, Oslo
Sentrum meaning city-center is located on the southeast side of the city near the inner Oslofjord.The district is dominated by high rises like Postgirobygget and The Plaza. Oslos Central Station is located on the eastern side of the borough. Sentrum consists of Bjørvika which has a history as...
and are open on weekdays. , Astrid Nøklebye Heiberg is the chairman of the association, whilst Ida Fossum Tønnessen is deputy chair. The association publishes the periodical St. Hallvard four times a year.